Propagator and plant-stand.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

R. L, TEMPLIN. PROPAGATOR AND PLANT STAND.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 7'. 190a.

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,NO. 866,088. PATBNTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

R. L. TEMPLIN. PROPAGATOR AND PLANT STAND. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1906.

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I MTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD L. TEMPLIN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PROPAGATOR AND PLANT-STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed November 7,1906. Serial N 342,333.

Plant-Stands, of which the following is a specification,

the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates, as indicated, to devices for the propagation and protection of growing plants, and the object of such invention is to provide simple and inexpensive means, utilizing a moist bottom heat, wherewith, even under unfavorable exterior conditions, the ordinary farmer or house-wife may successfully propagate and grow early vegetable and flower plants, as 'well as test seeds when desired. At the same time, as will be later pointed out, such invention is admirably adapted for use as a window-box or plantstand, in which pots containing growing plants may be placed and maintained in a healthy growing condition.

Said invention, then, consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. i

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means, however, constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention, such device being shown as mounted upon a table-like support; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central vertical crosssection of such device; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the elements of the same; Fig. 4 is a similar perspective view of another element of the device; Fig. 5 shows in perspective the boiler which enters into the construction of such last-named element; while Fig. 6 represents a detachable standard of novel construction utilized in supporting the glass case wherewith it is designed that the member shown in Fig. 3 shall be inclosed.

From an inspection of the several figures of such drawings, it will be readily seen that my improved propagator and plant-stand comprises as one important element a tray A, best seen in Fig. 3, adapted to receive the seeds to be tested, the bulbs to be forced, or the potted growing plants, as the case may be. Such tray A is designed to be received and supported over the heat and moisture supplying element B, Fig. 4, which latter is simply a flat open pan of substantially the same dimensions as the tray. This pan B may be supported in any desired manner, either as shown in Fig. 1 on a table-like stand, or on brackets projecting from the wall, or, if desired, it may be suspended by cords from the ceiling, its structure and operation being in no wise dependent upon the manner of its mounting. Both receiving tray A and member B are preferably made of galvanized iron or similar metal, the bottom of the former, however, being provided with numerous perforations a or being otherwise rendered porous. To adapt it to be received readily by member B, such tray is formed with an inset or contracted portion a adapted to fit within the walls of the pan and thus be securely held thereby. i

The use of the glass case, designated by D, Fig. 1, is optional. To the end of rendering it readily removable, I provide the following construction therefor: Detachable standards d, Fig. 6, are utilized, each consisting of an angular metal strip formed at its bottom end with two integral clip-like projections d struck out of the body of such strip, and adapted to clasp a corner of the tray. Intermediately of its ends such standard is formed with a third clip 0Z likewise struck out of one side of the strip and adapted to confine, on one hand the edge of one pane of glass against the other side of the strip, and, on the other hand, to clasp against the side from which it has been struck out, a second pane at right angles to the first. The tops of standards d extend sufiiciently above the panes thus forming the sides of the case to receive and retain in place the corners of the cover pane of such case. It is thus seen that a perfectly tight glass case is formed for the protection of growing plants or sprouting seeds within tray A. At the same time, such case may be easily detached and taken apart when its use is not necessary, and is just as easily assembled when again required.

The heat and moisture supplying member B, consisting primarily, as has been stated, of a flat pan, is provided on its bottom with a plurality of upwardly projecting ribs 1), preferably longitudinally disposed with respect to such pan and placed in staggered relation to each other in such a manner that the pan is, in effect, divided into a series of channel-ways, Fig. 4. Such ribs are preferably of a height sufiicient to enable them to engage and support the perforated bottom of tray A, Fig. 2. The channel-ways formed by such ribs are designed to be connected with a water heater in such a manner as to form in connection therewith a circulatory system for water to and from said heater. The forms taken by the heater may be various, so long as the connections are such that a circulation of water through the channel-ways in question is secured. Indeed, it is contemplated that the heater may be removed entirely from the pan, for if the channel-ways are connected at opposite ends with the inlet and discharge openings, respectively, of the heater, it is obvious that a current of water will be kept flowing through such channel-ways by convection, no matter where the heater be located, provided, of course, that the principles of hot water heating be observed, By the circulatory system thus established, a substantially uniform temperature throughout the pan is readily maintained.

For the above enumerated uses of my propagator,

however, I have considered it advisable to design a particular form of water heater, one that will be an integral part of the structure, and that will be the acme of simplicity in construction and. operation. Such heater comprises simply an open cylindrical boiler G inserted in the bottom of the pan, the walls of said boiler being allowed to project above the pan bottom the same height as ribs 1). On opposite sides of the walls are formed inlet and discharge openings 0 0 the latter being connected by means of conduits c with the bottom portion of the boiler chamber, while the former open directly into the upper portion of such chamber. The boiler, being preferably centrally inserted in the bottom of the pan, interrupts the several channel-ways formed by ribs 1), the arrangement being such that said channel-ways are connected at opposite ends with the aforesaid inlet and discharge openings, respectively. The water, rising to the upper portion of the boiler, as it becomes heated will accordingly flow out through the discharge openings 0, thence along the respective channel-ways leading therefrom, and back again as it becomes cold through the inlet openings 0 and conduits c to the bottom portion of the boiler, there to be again heated and continued on its course as before. For the purpose of heating such boiler G, I preferably utilize an ordinary kerosene-oil lamp G as shown, although gas, gasolene or alcohol, may beused instead of kerosene when desired, by substituting the proper form of burner and providing suitable connections for supplying the fuel. It is understood, of course, that the burner, whatever its form, not a part of my present invention. To more fully realize the heating value of the burner, I make the bottom a of the boiler of the conical shape shown, Figs. 2 and 5.

The structure and operation of the device having been above fully set forth, it only remains to indicate, by way of conclusion, the manner in which I use the same for the several pmposes that I initially stated it is adapted to accomplish. For the testing of seeds, I cover the perforated bottom of tray A with a layer of loose fibrous textile material, such as gunny cloth, and the seeds are thereupon disposed on the bed thus provided. If desired, a layer of sand or like material may be first spread evenly upon the cloth and actual sprouting conditions thus still more closely approximated. Such second layer of sand or soil would furthermore be employed by preference when the device is used not merely to test the seed but to propagate plants, or to force bulbs and grow cuttings. The inclosed glass case is utilized in all the instances just recited for protecting the tray and the tender plants there growing from the chilling effects of drafts and the like, and for conserv ing the heat arising from the water circulating in the open channel-ways beneath. When the device, on the other hand, is to be used as a plant-stand or window garden, the case D is apt to be merely in the way and, if the plants are of any considerable size, cannot be used at all. Such cover is hence removed and the pots containing the plants allowed to rest directly on the perforated bottom of the tray. The panB thus serves as a drip pan as well as a source of a regular moist heat that keeps the plants in a healthy growing condition.

Having thus described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim, is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support said tray, upwardly projecting ribs longitudinally disposed in zigzag fashion on the bottom of said pan and dividing the same into channel ways, and a water heater having an inlet and discharge opening, such channel-ways being connected with said heater openings to form a circulatory system for water to and from said heater.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support said tray, upwardly projectiug ribs dividing said pan into channel-ways, and a water heater having an inlet and a discharge opening, such channel-ways being connected at opposite ends with the inlet and discharge openings of said heater, respectively.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support' said tray, an open boiler inserted in the bottom of said pan, the walls of said boiler projecting above such bottom and being provided with inlet and discharge openings, conduits connecting such inlet openings with the bottom portion of the boiler chamber, and upwardly projecting ribs dividing said pan into channel-ways having communication at opposite ends with such inlet and discharge openings, respectively.

i. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support said tray, an open boiler inserted in the bottom of said pan, the walls of said boiler projecting above such bottom and being provided with inlet and discharge openings, conduits connecting such inlet openings with the bottom portion of said boiler chamber, and upwardly projecting ribs longitudinally disposed in zigzag fashion on the bottom of said pan and dividing the same into channel-ways, such channel-ways being connected with said boiler openings to form a circulatory system for water to and from said boiler.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support said tray, an open boiler substantially centrally inserted in the bottom of said pan, the walls of said boiler projecting above such bottom and being provided with a pair of oppositely disposed inlet openings and with a pair of similarly disposed outlet openings, conduits connecting such inlet openings with the bottom of the boiler chamber, and upwardly projecting ribs longitudinally disposed in zigzag fashion on the bottom of said pan and dividing the same into channel-ways, such channel ways having communication at opposite ends with such inlet and discharge openings, respectively.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, an open pan adapted to receive and support said tray, an open boiler inserted in the bottom of said pan, the walls of said boiler projecting above such bottom and being provided with in let and discharge openings, conduits connecting such inlet openings with the bottom portion of the boiler chamber, and upwardly projecting ribs dividing said pan into channel-ways having communication at opposite ends with such inlet and discharge openings, respectively, said ribs being of sufficient height to engage and support the perforated bottom of said tray.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tray having a perforated bottom, a detachable glass case for inclosing said tray, such case comprising upright standards adapted to be secured at the corners,

respectively, of said tray, and lateral and cover panes of' glass removably held thereby, a flat open receptacle disposed beneath said tray, and a water heater connected with said receptacle, the latter being formed to provide a circulatory system for water to and from said heater.

S. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tray, of a detachable glass case for inclosing said tray, such case comprising upright standards adapted to be secured at the corners, respectively of said tray, each of said standards comprising an angular metal strip formed at its bottom end with two integral clip-like projections adapted to clasp the corner of the tray and intermcdiately of its ends with a third clip adapted to secure the edge of a pane of glass against each of the sides of said standard, respectively, lateral panes of glass thus secured at each end in said standards, and a cover pane 10 secured at its corners by the upper ends of said standards projecting above said lateral panes.

Signed by me, this 2d day of November, 1906.

RICHARD L. TEMPLIN.

Attested by- D. 'r. mvms, .TNo. F. OBERLIN. 

